Damon Hill drives Williams Honda FW11 at Goodwood, 40 years after its historic first Formula 1 title

1996 Formula 1 World Champion Damon Hill and Ryo Michigami will drive the car during Honda’s programme at the British motorsport event, which takes place under the theme “The Rivals – Epic Racing Duels".

The FW11 represents a defining moment in Honda’s Formula 1 history. Williams Honda won nine races in 1986 and secured the Constructors’ Championship after five demanding years of development, setbacks and technical uncertainty.

Honda had returned to Formula 1 after a 25-year absence, determined to compete at the highest level again.

Its partner was Williams, a team that only began racing full-time in 1978 but quickly established itself as a major force. Williams won consecutive Constructors’ Championships in 1980 and 1981 yet recognised the limitations of relying on customer engines.

That decision did not deliver immediate success. Honda entered an era where engine manufacturers chased rapidly increasing power outputs, while reliability remained a constant challenge. Williams Honda secured its first victory at the 1984 Dallas Grand Prix, but frequent retirements exposed the scale of the work still required.

The breakthrough arrived with the RA165E engine, known as the "E-spec". Introduced midway through the following season, the upgraded power unit transformed Williams Honda’s competitiveness and laid the foundation for its championship campaign.

By 1986, the partnership had become Formula 1’s benchmark. Williams Honda claimed nine victories and secured the Constructors’ title, delivering Honda’s first championship in the sport. The achievement also fulfilled the long-held ambition of company founder Soichiro Honda.

After the title was secured at the Portuguese Grand Prix, Honda Formula 1 programme leader Yoshitoshi Sakurai wrote in the team’s race report: “I can’t wait to see the look on Soichiro Honda’s face.”

Hill’s appearance at Goodwood will connect that breakthrough era with another important chapter in Williams' history. The Briton became one of Formula 1’s leading drivers with Williams during the 1990s and won the Drivers’ Championship in 1996.

He will now return to Williams machinery by driving the FW11, while Michigami will also take part in the showrun programme. The appearance forms part of Honda’s global celebrations marking the 40th anniversary of its first Formula 1 championship.

Williams Honda did not reach the top immediately. Its first title followed years of engine failures, fierce competition and relentless development. Forty years later, the FW11 returns as a reminder of the challenge behind Honda’s first Formula 1 crown.

For Honda, the anniversary is not simply a celebration of past success. It highlights how sustained technical development, a committed work partnership and resilience through failure eventually transformed Williams Honda into Formula 1’s dominant combination in 1986. Sadly, a very far cry from where they are today.